How to Say "to notify" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to notify” is “informar” — use this for general awareness, like sharing news or updates, especially in everyday situations.
informar
in-for-MARin.forˈmaɾ
Examples
Le informamos que su vuelo ha sido cancelado.
We inform you that your flight has been canceled.
El periodista informó sobre el accidente en vivo.
The journalist reported on the accident live.
Por favor, infórmale a tu jefe de los cambios.
Please, inform your boss of the changes.
Reporting the Topic
When you report what the information is about, you usually use the preposition 'de' or 'sobre': 'Informé al jefe de la situación' (I informed the boss of the situation).
Who Receives the Information
The person receiving the information is the direct object (or sometimes an indirect object pronoun 'le/les' in Spanish), which means they receive the action: 'Informaron a los clientes' (They informed the clients).
Missing Preposition
Mistake: “La noticia informó la crisis.”
Correction: La noticia informó *sobre* la crisis. (The news reported *on* the crisis.) The preposition is necessary before the thing being reported.
notificar
no-tee-fee-karnoti.fiˈkaɾ
Examples
La aplicación te notificará cuando recibas un mensaje.
The app will notify you when you receive a message.
Debemos notificar el accidente a la policía de inmediato.
We must report the accident to the police immediately.
El abogado notificó a sus clientes sobre el cambio en el contrato.
The lawyer notified his clients about the change in the contract.
The Spelling 'Shift'
To keep the 'k' sound in the word, the 'c' changes to 'qu' when followed by an 'e'. This happens in the 'yo' form of the past and all 'wishes/commands' forms.
Who are you notifying?
When notifying a person, always use the word 'a' before them. For example: 'Notificar a los padres' (Notify the parents).
Wrong Spelling in Past Tense
Mistake: “Yo notificé el error.”
Correction: Yo notifiqué el error. (Because 'c' before 'e' sounds like an 's' in Spanish, we need 'qu' to keep the hard 'k' sound).
reportar
rreh-por-TARrepoɾˈtaɾ
Examples
Tienes que reportar el robo a la policía.
You have to report the theft to the police.
Los usuarios reportaron un error en la aplicación.
Users reported a bug in the application.
El periodista reportó los hechos desde el lugar de la noticia.
The journalist reported the facts from the scene of the news.
Direct Action
When you report something (like a crime or a bug), that 'thing' goes directly after the verb without needing extra words.
Reporting to Someone
If you are telling a person or authority about something, use 'a' before the person: 'Reportar el problema A la policía'.
Using it for general chatting
Mistake: “Reporté a mi mamá que llegué bien.”
Correction: Le dije a mi mamá que llegué bien.
enterar
en-teh-RARenteˈɾaɾ
Examples
Le enteramos de su derecho a un abogado.
We informed him of his right to a lawyer.
Es importante enterar al jefe sobre los gastos.
It is important to inform the boss about the expenses.
Action vs. Reception
In this version, you aren't using the 'me' or 'se' words on yourself. Instead, you are doing the action to someone else: 'Enterar a alguien' (To inform someone).
requerir
reh-keh-REERrekeˈɾiɾ
Examples
El juez requirió la presencia de los testigos.
The judge summoned the witnesses to appear.
La policía le requirió que bajara del vehículo.
The police ordered him to get out of the vehicle.
Command Structure
When someone in authority demands you do something, we use 'requerir' followed by 'que' and the special 'wish/command' verb form (subjunctive).
Informar vs. Notificar
Related Translations
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